A New Face on New Bedford’s Art Scene [TOWNSQUARE SUNDAY]

There's a new director at the New Bedford Art Museum/Artworks.

Suzanne de Vegh was hired in August by the museum's Board of Directors and said she loves being in New Bedford.

She earned a degree in art history at UMass-Amherst, and has interned at and led several art museums in Massachusetts and New York.

She said landing a job as director of the New Bedford Art Museum has been a dream come true.

"My dad was a sculptor and he had an old mill which he converted into a cultural center with a gallery. I sort of grew up surrounded by artists and it's been very natural for me to speak about art," de Vegh said. "I guess I've been in love with it all my life."

De Vegh said New Bedord has been a very welcoming and hospitable place, and there's always a buzz of creativity everywhere you go. She is currently planning a major exhibition with the New Bedford Free Public Library and should be open for viewing in about a year.

She is also planning exhibits with folks at UMass Dartmouth, and has also quadrupled the number of workshops and classes that's offered at the museum.

De Vegh said she has a vision for the New Bedford Art Museum.

"There are many spaces to view contemporary art in New Bedford. We plan to focus on cutting edge art, such as fragrance as an expressive art form, and floral art," she said. "Creators of that kind of art are as much an artist as a painter or photographer."

De Vegh is inviting the public to the Art Museum's Christmas Party on December 15, featuring dancers, singers and food. This is a fundraising event and tickets are available on the museum's website.

The complete interview with Suzanne de Vegh can be heard here:

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